Page 42 of Kisses at the Crossroads

I throw the fireball at the grandfather clock and watch as the flames consume it and the magic contained within.

Drake lifts his head as he’s still gasping for breath. “You son of a?—”

“You have no hold over me any longer.” I walk around his heaving form, giving him a wide berth. “Do better, Drake. You were kind once. You can be that way again.”

He ignores me to gasp for breath.

Burn it all down.

“Tempted. But that’s not my style.” I hunt down every one of the perimeter spells and destroy them. As soon as the last one’s gone, Pike manifests in front of me.

“Lark,” he whispers my name as he cups my cheek.

“Lark!” Wren calls my name as he comes into view. We run to each other until he’s swinging me in his arms. Tears spring to my eyes. It’s taken so long to get here.

“Is Drake dead?” Pike asks.

“No,” I say. “He’s in there and he’s miserable. I don’t know what he’ll do if the coven doesn’t take more measures to keep him contained. But the anchor exists no more, and I felt his tether break.”

Pike rubs his chest. “I felt ours solidify.”

“We need to celebrate!” Wren says. Van and Wick materialize and agree.

“Pike owns Flutter now, and it’s even more amazing,” Van says. “We should celebrate your freedom there.”

I shake my head. “I want to summon the coven first. See if?—”

We all stumble back. Drake’s house lifts in the air, raining dirt and grass and gravel all around. Then it disappears, leaving a giant hole where the house once stood.

Van laughs. “It looks like the trash took itself out.”

I’m not so sure it’s that easy, but I want to hope it is. I cling to Pike and reach for Wren’s hand. I don’t want to let go of either of them. My heart is so needy right now.

“I redecorated Flutter.” Pike kisses the top of my head and in two seconds, we’re on Flutter’s stage. But it doesn’t have stripper poles any longer. There are cozy couches everywhere. Frankie chews on something in a soft-looking dog bed. The house lights are bright and there are so many neon colors.

“What is this?”

“More of a meeting place. We’ll have karaoke, and concerts, among other things. But I want this to be a meeting of the people. Someplace we can learn about each other and teach each other. The coven gives me their blessing and has it booked every full and new moon for ritual work on the roof.” Drake’s tail wraps around me. “Plus, I may have renamed it. Flutter and Fang. With your approval. Ava helped. I?—”

“Is she okay?” I pull away to search for her, but she comes out from Drake’s former office.

“Trick.” Ava smiles wide and I rush to her.

“Lark. My true name is Lark.” I say it loud enough that everyone can hear. I trust these people with my life and my heart. They’re all part of my family.

“Lark. Suits you much better than Trick.” She grins and smooths hair from my eyes.

“You’re okay, then?”

“Perfect. Once the coven gave Pike full ownership, I was his problem, and he set me free.”

“And I asked her to stay on as manager if she was comfortable with the idea.”

“I said absolutely yes. Now that you’re free, let’s party!” Ava claps and music starts. I can’t help the laugh as Pike grinds into me.

“I’m so glad you’re here, Lark.” Pike nuzzles at my neck. I’m afraid to jinx things, but I join in the celebration.

Chapter 23

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